Donald Malcolm Adams

LUNENBURG - Donald Malcolm Adams, 96, of Lunenburg passed away peacefully on April 27th, 2024. Don was born in Providence, RI on March 8, 1928. He grew up in Walpole, MA where his mother was a school teacher and principal. He was gifted with an outgoing and generous nature that could find the “up” even when everything seemed down. He loved life and shared his enthusiasm and big heart with everyone. He was an exceptional musician and singer, as anyone who ever heard his beautiful baritone voice can attest. He was a dedicated educator beloved by students and community members alike, whether teaching music basics, or directing anything from a full-scale staged production to the music for a moving church service. He helped the most advanced students to successfully attend prestigious music schools, but never overlooked those who just wanted to give it a try. No one walked away uninspired. Most of Don’s career was as teacher and director of music in the Lunenburg school system, mostly in the high school. He developed curriculum and directed the choirs and memorable music theatre shows. He was also active in community productions in places such as the Whalom Playhouse and High Tor Summer Theater, and as a soloist in churches in the area. He sang with the Salisbury Singers (Worcester) for many years, and directed the church choir at the United Parish in Lunenburg. Don earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Boston University in 1950, and a Master of Education from Fitchburg State College in 1963. After graduating from university, he served in the Navy from 1950-1955 on active duty, and in the Naval Reserve from 1955-1964, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He moved to Lunenburg after his active service and began both his teaching career and raising his young family. He was a great dad who knew the value of tucking a tight sheet and keeping things shipshape. While singing, of course. He was predeceased by his father, Julius Adams in 1928, his sister, Evelyn Ruth in 1947, his mother Edith in 1986, and his son, Donald William in 2023. He is survived by his wife, Anne, his daughters Liselyn of Québec and Evelyn of Vermont, and his grandchildren Emily Pogozelski and Monica Jerome of Vermont, Phoebe of Alberta, and Paul Miller of Québec, as well as his first wife Elise Williams of North Carolina. A memorial service will be held on May 18th at 11:00 am at the United Parish Church, 16 Main St. Lunenburg MA 01462. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association to support research into dementia (www.alz.org) or to the Lunenburg United Parish. The family would like to thank the kind and generous staff of Sunrise of Leominster’s memory care unit. Their care of Don over the past year was nothing short of perfect. A special thanks goes to the hospice team who helped Don and the family navigate the final weeks of his life with grace, calm, and love. For those wishing to join the service via Zoom, please see link below: Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/505611839 Audio only: From a standard phone dial +1 301 715 8592 When prompted enter Meeting ID 505 611 839

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Donald Malcolm Adams

March 8, 1928 - April 27, 2024